“Grifters and False Teachers” I’ve encountered a lot of claim | Follow the Data with Dr Frank

“Grifters and False Teachers”

I’ve encountered a lot of claims recently about grifters and “pay-triots” in the Fix 2020 movement so I wanted to share some thoughts on the matter. I am not accusing anyone of this, but I confess that some of what I have encountered does give me pause. When I first joined the Lindell team I was cautioned, “Not everyone in this movement is on our side.” I have found this to be true, so caution is warranted.

To illustrate my thoughts, I will refer to some principles and passages from the Bible.

Jesus Christ did not charge for His appearances. He even provided meals (and wine) for large crowds on a few occasions. At one point He sent out seventy-two evangelists. Here are the instructions He gave them (Luke 10):

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

The disciples were not to bring their own resources. Instead, Jesus was asking them to rely upon the hospitality of their hosts. Jesus also warned them about false prophets:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Jesus says that we should be able to recognize the genuine article by their fruits.

The apostle Paul also talks about “payment for services” in I Corinthians 9:

“Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.”

Paul was a tentmaker, and it was important to him that he pay his own way while on his journeys preaching the Gospel. I do not presume to be Christ or Paul, but I am trying to implement the principles I mention above in my work.

First, I throw myself at the mercy of my hosts. Essentially, I am trusting others and God’s providence to determine my schedule and to care for my needs. I am fond of saying, “I am leaf on the river.”

Second, I do not charge for my appearances. Instead, I ask that the hosting groups help to cover my expenses if they are able. Often, I appear at my own expense.

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